Fig. 5
From: Recent advances in modified poly (lactic acid) as tissue engineering materials
Synthesis of poly (lactic acid). (A) The polymerization of lactic acid by polycondensation results in a low molecular weight polymer, water is removed from the solution under elevated temperature and high vacuum conditions. (B) The generation of Lactide a cyclical intermediary, allows the ring-open polymerization (ROP) where under specific conditions (heat and accurate solvent) a high molecular weight polymer is obtained, with ROP a pure polymer and a higher yield of the reaction is obtained